Sam’s kicks win it but Cockers wants Tigers to toughen up

RICHARD Cockerill has ordered his Leicester men to be “tougher when we have not got the ball” for next Friday’s Premiership opener at Gloucester.

Leicester scored six tries but also shipped six in a frenzied friendly which provided plenty of entertainment.

Cockerill was delighted at Leicester’s attacking play yet also alarmed at the defensive lapses.

The Tiger fans loved the first appearance of Springbok wing JP Pietersen though that second-half cameo appearance brought a yellow card after only six minutes for blocking release at a ruck.

Leicester’s director of rugby said: “There was some really good attacking play and some good set piece play. However, there’s still a lot to work on and we have to be a lot tougher when we have not got the ball.”

Steve Tandy, Ospreys’ head coach, was also content despite the defeat. He felt Leicester’s pack had “strangled” his team in a rematch - the Welsh region won the first 26-21.

“Overall, pretty satisfied,” Tandy said.“We don’t seem to have picked up any injuries and there were plenty of positives.”

Cockerill singled out Sam Harrison as the unlikely man-of-the-match after the reserve scrum-half played at fly-half because of minor knocks left Freddie Burns and Owen Williams on the sidelines.

Burns is expected to start against his old club at Kingsholm but Cockerill said he would not hesitate in calling on Harrison who showed plenty of zest at No.10 and also kicked five conversions.

Cockerill said both Burns and Williams were in the mix to play next Friday. He added:“It won’t be an issue for us if you saw how Sam Harrison played and kicked. He was the pick of the bunch.

“He’s the heart and soul of what the club is all about. Freddie and Owen have minor knocks. Sam did a fantastic job and I’m delighted for him. He’s a local boy who played out of position. Says it all really.”

Leicester are said to be looking for back row cover because of injuries to Tom Croft (sore back) and Mike Williams (arm).

But their absences allowed other players to stake a claim led by new No.8 Luke Hamilton, the former Agen player, who scored a second-half try.

Another impressive individual was two-try wing Adam Thompstone, who scored his first try by catching Harrison’s pinpoint crossfield kick.

Though Leicester sped into an early 14-0 lead from then on the two sides traded tries. Ospreys grew in confidence and produced some excellent rugby including two tries from second-half substitute Eli Walker.

The difference proved to be the goal kicking. Harrison landed five conversions and substitute centre George Worth converted the sixth try for Leicester while Ospreys’ fly-half Sam Davies, slotted four from six.

After Walker had scored his second try, it left Ospreys pushing for a winning try until Leicester won back possession to set up a final attack which ended in a line-out drive being stopped short.

It prompted a flurry of punches between the two packs which highlighted how this friendly had turned into one with a bit of bite.